Kosovo: Educational Facilities

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action they are taking, together with other governments and international organisations, to ensure that adequate educational facilities and schooling are available for all children of school age in Kosovo, including those of ethnic minority groups such as the Roma, Ashkalia and Serbs.

Baroness Amos: During the Kosovo crisis DFID contributed £2.5 million to UNICEF partly to support education in the Balkans, including for minorities. Our bilateral programme focuses on capacity building in areas including social welfare and social benefits, public administration, revenue collection, media and electoral activities. This support is intended to benefit all ethnic communities. We are not providing bilateral support in the field of education.

Macedonia: Aid

Lord McColl of Dulwich: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether any of the £5.8 million promised by the Prime Minister to the former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia last year has been given and how much has been committed.

Baroness Amos: There has been no significant change to the situation described in my reply of 12 July to the noble Lord's earlier Question (Official Report, col. WA 29).

Bosnian Refugees

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What information they have about the numbers of refugees and displaced persons wishing to return to their homes in Bosnia; how many have been able to return since the Dayton Agreement of 1995; and, if they are able to divide the total as between the two political entities in Bosnia-Herzegovina, how many have returned to each.

Baroness Amos: According to the United Nations, there remain more than 1 million Bosnian refugees and displaced persons, the majority of whom would like to return to their homes. Some 682,000 refugees and displaced persons have returned to Bosnia and Herzegovina since the Dayton Peace Agreement of 1995, of which 556,000 returned to the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and 126,000 to Republika Srpska.

Bosnian Refugees

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they accept the need for greater external funding for basic housing for displaced people throughout Bosnia; and, if so, whether they will seek international funds for this purpose with a view to reducing long-term military and security costs.

Baroness Amos: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees assesses housing needs for displaced people and then co-ordinates and directs donors to provide rapid and flexible funding to meet those needs. We are contributing to refugee return through a programme implemented by the Multi National Division South West of SFOR (the international military presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina) that provides minimum community infrastructure and support to small businesses in areas of return.

Sudan: Education

The Earl of Sandwich: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have to increase their present commitment to primary and secondary education in southern Sudan.

Baroness Amos: Our present commitment to Sudan relates solely to humanitarian need. Bilateral aid was suspended in 1991. We have given no support for primary and secondary education since then.

Firearms: Central Register

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When work started on the establishment of a central register, as required under Section 39 of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997 which came into force on 1 October 1997, of persons who have applied for a firearm or shotgun certificate or to whom a firearm or shotgun certificate has been granted; and whether they will estimate the total cost of the work and the date on which the central register will be in operation.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: Work on the establishment of the central register began in October 1998 with the establishment of a project team to produce a user requirement. Development work will start in November. The date on which it will come into operation is currently being re-assessed because project timescales may be affected by concurrent work on the development of the DNA database. The impact assessment completed earlier this year estimated that the project would require some 1,400 person days to complete and would also require additional disk capacity costing £50,000. The Government remain committed to the development of the register, as required by the 1997 Act.

Smoking-related Illnesses in the Workforce

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they can estimate the number of days lost to the workforce through smoking-related illnesses per year.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from the National Statistician and Registrar General, Len Cook, dated 17 October 2000.
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question about the number of days lost to the workforce through smoking-related illnesses per year.
	Estimates on the number of days lost through smoking-related illnesses are not available.
	The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is National Statistics' major source of labour market data on individuals. It does not ask questions on smoking-related illnesses. It can provide information on the number of days employees were unable to work in the week that they were surveyed. However, as this number of days can also include some when the respondent would not normally work, no accurate estimate of the total number of working days lost in a year can be calculated. No other official source can provide the information requested.

Retired People: Numbers

Lord Shore of Stepney: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the estimated total number of people, of men over 65 and women over 60 separately, in the United Kingdom over the age of retirement at the latest available date; what were the comparable figures in each decade since 1940; and what is the estimated number in each future decade to the year 2050.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from the National Statistician and Registrar General, Len Cook, dated 17 October 2000.
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your question about the estimated total number of people in the United Kingdom over the age of retirement.
	The attached table shows the estimated total numbers of men and women in the United Kingdom over the age of retirement from 1931 to 1999. These figures have been supplied by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
	The projected figures for men and women from 2001-2050 have been supplied by the Government Actuary's Department (GAD). These projected figures are from the 1998-based national population projections.
	Between 2010 and 2020, state retirement age will change from 65 years for men and 60 years for women, to 65 years for both sexes (Pensions Act 1995, Chapter 26 Pt II, Section 126 Schedule 4), The table shows the historic and projected numbers of females aged over 60 and aged over 65, and for any given year the number of females over the official retirement age.
	
		United Kingdom--Estimates of the Population of State Retirement Age (thousands)
		
			  Men 65+ Women 60+ (Women of state retirement age) Women Aged 65+ 
			 1931(1) 1,470 2,950 (2,950) 1,947 
			 1951(1) 2,247 4,580 (4,580) 3,218 
			 1961(2) 2,385 5,362 (5,362) 3,824 
			 1971(2) 2,841 6,282 (6,282) 4,567 
			 1981(2) 3,327 6,708 (6,708) 5,149 
			 1991(2) 3,639 6,963 (6,963) 5,465 
			 1999(2) 3,845 6,908 (6,908) 5,448 
			 2001(3) 3,911 6,889 (6,889) 5,431 
			 2011(3) 4,513 7,636 (7,401) 5,694 
			 2021(3) 5,562 8,659 (6,648) 6,648 
			 2031(3) 6,830 10,086 (7,923) 7,923 
			 2041(3) 7,389 10,255 (8,470) 8,470 
			 2050(3) 7,226 10,316 (8,330) 8,330 
		
	
	(1) Population enumerated at the census. There was no census in 1941.
	(2) Estimated mid-year population.
	(3) 1998-based national population projections.
	(4) Between 2010 and 2020, state retirement age will change from 65 years for men and 60 years for women, to 65 years for both sexes.
	Source: Population Estimates Unit, ONS Annual Abstract of Statistics 1999 edition, Government Actuary's Department.
	Crown Copyright 2000.

Vehicle Inspectorate: Retained Fees and Law Enforcement

Lord Bradshaw: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they propose to use hypothecated funds raised from road transport operator licence fees and court awards of costs towards the better enforcement of the law.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: Since April 1999 the Vehicle Inspectorate has been allowed to retain receipts from the licensing of heavy goods and public service vehicle operators in order to finance the inspectorate's general enforcement activity in this area. Any excess receipts are surrendered to the Consolidated Fund; they cannot be diverted to other forms of expenditure.
	The Treasury allows departments to retain receipts and net them off against related spending only where specific criteria are met. In December 1998 the Treasury issued a press release announcing two sets of criteria against which requests from departments to retain receipts from licences/levies or fines/penalties to offset against enforcement costs could be assessed. The spending against which retained receipts must be set is tightly defined and generally limited to activities directly related to those generating the receipts.

Aircraft Fuel and Motor Fuel Tax

Lord Gilmour of Craigmillar: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why the tax on aircraft fuel is lower than it is on motor fuel.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The UK does not tax aircraft fuel, in line with long-standing international agreement.

Defence Driving Instructors: Registration

Earl Attlee: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Approximately how many Armed Forces defence driving instructors have: (a) qualified recently enough so that their qualification is considered to be current; and (b) qualified at some point in their careers but their qualification cannot be considered to be current.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The Ministry of Defence maintains a register of all defence driving instructors. Registration lasts for an initial period of four years and can then be extended by four-year periods provided that the criteria for re-registration have been met.
	The number of valid instructors shown on the defence driving instructor register is 1,790 (including 295 civil servants). Records are kept centrally only for the last six years. The number of personnel recorded as previously qualified but no longer current is 833.

Asylum Seekers: Guidance to Local Authorities

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, following the Audit Commission's report of June 2000, they will ensure that the Departments of Health and Education and Employment issue good practice guidance to their respective local authorities regarding the effective delivery of services to asylum seekers and refugees.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Department of Health has given advice and guidance to those health authorities to whom asylum seekers have been dispersed on the additional resource implications their presence will make. The department also liaises regularly with the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) of the Home Office, which is responsible for the dispersal, accommodation and support of destitute asylum seekers.

Tobacco Advertising

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, in view of the ruling of the European Court of Justice on 5 October concerning the marketing of tobacco products, they will now bring forward proposals to restrict the marketing of such products.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: This ruling is a disappointment but it will not deflect us from our commitment to ban tobacco advertising. We said at the time of the Advocate General's opinion in June that we would consider primary legislation to ban tobacco advertising and that is what we are doing.

Passive Smoking

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they consider that not to be subject to passive smoking is a basic human right.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Government strongly believe people should have the right to choose whether or not they are exposed to tobacco smoke. That is why the Government have supported the licensed hospitality trade's Public Places Charter, which aims to increase the provision of non-smoking facilities in pubs, hotels and restaurants. The Government are also reviewing smoking policies in their own departments. The Health and Safety Commission has now recommended the introduction of an approved code of practice on smoking in the workplace and the Government are considering the commission's advice.

Water Fluoridation

Earl Baldwin of Bewdley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In view of the conclusion in Section 12.9 of the report of the systematic scientific review of water fluoridation, published on 6 October by the National Health Service Centre for Reviews and Dissemination at York, that the quality of research hitherto has been "generally low", whether they will indicate which of the future research needs identified in the report they intend to act upon and within what timescale; or, if there are areas highlighted where they do not intend to instigate research, why not.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Department of Health has asked the Medical Research Council to draw upon the expertise available to it and explore how, in the light of the systematic review, any further research could most productively be focused in order to strengthen the knowledge base concerning water fluoridation and its effects on health.

Water Fluoridation

Earl Baldwin of Bewdley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In the light of the reply by Baroness Hayman of 20 April 1999 (WA 158) that "dental fluorosis is a manifestation of systemic toxicity", what action they propose to take following the publication of the report of the systematic scientific review of water fluoridation by the National Health Service Centre for Reviews and Dissemination which suggested that, where water is fluoridated at 1 part per million, an estimated 48 per cent of the population suffer from fluorosis.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Dental fluorosis is a mottling of the teeth, which only in its more extreme forms will leave some people concerned about the appearance of their teeth. Even then the teeth are still endowed with extra resistance to decay and the effect can be removed by routine dental treatment. The presence of dental fluorosis in an individual does not imply that fluoride has had any other adverse effect in that individual. The numerous studies of the effects of fluoride and of fluoridation of water supplies have not demonstrated that drinking water containing fluoride at 1 part per million has any significant effect, beneficial or adverse, other than on teeth. The findings of the Centre for Research and Dissemination systematic review are consistent with this view.

"Today" Programme on Smoking

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How they are co-operating with cigarette manufacturing companies to help smokers to quit, as was stated in the BBC Radio 4 "Today" programme on 10 October by a representative of the British American Tobacco Company.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The United Kingdom Government do not co-operate with the cigarette manufacturing companies to help smokers quit and have no plans to do so.

Sure Start: Health Visitor Involvement

Lord Northbourne: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many schemes under Sure Start are up and running, and how many of these include as active members of the local Sure Start partnership one or more representatives of the Health Visitors Association.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: Nearly 100 Sure Start programmes have now been approved. All include representatives of health organisations in their partnerships. Health visitors have played a crucial role in developing local Sure Start plans, particularly in their work with local people and their experience with young children and parents.

Lorry Weight Changes: Unit Costs

Lord Bradshaw: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Taking into account the increase in lorry weights and the reduction in Vehicle Excise Duty which will come into force next year, what reduction in unit costs, expressed in pence per capacity tonne kilometres, will the operator of a maximum weight lorry enjoy, assuming fuel prices remain constant at today's level.

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: From 1 February next year, it is intended that it will be permissible to run six-axled articulated vehicles at a maximum weight of 44 tonnes in general haulage, in comparison with the current maximum of 41 tonnes. The Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) rate for 44-tonne vehicles will be £2,950, compared with £2,500 for 41-tonne vehicles on six axles. Allowing for the differences in payload, VED rate and fuel costs, we estimate that unit costs expressed in pence per capacity tonne kilometres will be broadly the same for the two types of vehicle.

Westminster Bridge: Traffic Disruption

Lord Peyton of Yeovil: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	On how many days in each of the last three years all lanes on Westminster Bridge and the roads immediately leading to it have been open to normal traffic; and when they expect them to be.

Lord Whitty: Information about when all these lanes have been open during the last three years is not available. I understand that all lanes on the bridge and the adjacent roads should be open to normal traffic by Christmas.
	The works on the north side of the bridge on behalf of the Parliamentary Works Directorate should be completed by the end of October or the beginning of November and the works to the south of the bridge should be completed by Christmas.

Regional Planning Guidance

Lord Dubs: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When are the Government going to publish the final version of Planning Policy Guidance Note 11 on Regional Planning.

Lord Whitty: Today we have published the final version of PPG11 Regional Planning. The new regional planning arrangements we announced in draft last year have been seen to work well in practice and have been widely welcomed. Our new guidance contrasts with previous practices where Whitehall produced draft regional planning guidance with decisions being taken behind closed doors. Under our new arrangements it is the regions that produce the drafts. There is then open public debate at a public examination before the Secretary of State approves the guidance.
	Fundamental to the new arrangements is that these strategies should be produced on an inclusive basis to promote regional ownership. The regional planning bodies need to work with a wide range of stakeholders in accordance with a streamlined and publicly accountable timetable.
	The new strategies should integrate land-use and transport planning. They will provide a long-term regional planning framework for the preparation of structure plans, unitary development plans and local transport plans. They will also inform other strategies and programmes, including the RDA regional economic strategies.
	We are also publishing today new guidance on how to prepare sustainability appraisals of these strategies to help ensure they deliver sustainable development.
	Copies of both PPG11 and the guidance on sustainability appraisals are available in the Library and on my department's planning website: http://www.planning.detr.gov.uk.

Birdcage Walk and Horseguards Parade: Traffic Disruption

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why the eastbound carriageway in BirdcageWalk is now closed; why vehicle access to Horseguards Parade is now blocked; who authorised these works; and when they expect normal traffic to be resumed.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: Responsibility for the subject of this Question has been delegated to the Royal Parks Agency under its Chief Executive, William Weston. I have asked the agency to arrange for a reply to be given.
	Letter from the Chief Executive of the Royal Parks Agency, William Weston, dated 16 October 2000.
	I have been asked by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to reply to your Parliamentary Question about the closure of Birdcage Walk and Horse Guards Road because this is an operational matter for which the Agency is responsible.
	Birdcage Walk is closed to traffic, one carriageway at a time, because we are undertaking major repairs and re-surfacing work and introducing safety improvements. Currently it is the eastbound carriageway and the work is also blocking the entrance to Horse Guards Road. The work is being carried out as part of the Agency's ongoing programme of road maintenance and is included in the Agency's corporate plan agreed by the Secretary of State. Before undertaking the works, the proposed closures were discussed with the local authority and the Metropolitan Police and Traffic for London.
	The schedule has slipped slightly due to the weather and the fuel shortages, but the work is expected to be completed by the end of November.